Device uptime keeps costs low. With demands from consumers to deliver faster, more efficiently and at a lower price point, it’s putting a lot of pressure on our technology. To stay ahead of the pack, organizations are working tirelessly to determine what changes can be made internally to optimize workflows and increase operational flexibility. When appropriately choosing to repair or refresh mission critical devices, businesses have shown massive growth through:

Increasing worker productivity

Dramatically reducing costs associated with data entry

Eliminating picking and packing errors

Reducing order and shipping errors

However, with barcoding mostly commonplace for manufacturing, distribution centers and warehousing in general, there’s still the struggle to keep up with technology to achieve continued growth in addition to maximizing uptime. The same is true in the data collection world. We are now doing much more than just scanning barcodes with our devices. We’re using them for Voice, Data (including messaging and texting), GPS, and various business applications.

For mobile workers, this has been a boon for their flexibility and productivity. Trouble is, the technology is moving so quickly that IT can’t keep up with device repairs and software upgrades, applications that need to be re-written, and the job of supporting a wide range of technologies that all work a bit differently and are often outsourced. Value-Added Resellers (VARS) are becoming nimbler by offering robust mobile device managed services such as advanced replacement, spare pool management and software loads (among others) to work toward minimized, device downtime in the field.

Manufacturers are also very in tune with the vast movement in the industry. Honeywell, for one, has developed a platform they call Mobility Edge, on which families of technology are built to make it simpler for IT to extend the life of their products and seamlessly integrate new ones when needed. Built with the Android™ operating system in mind, Mobility Edge™ devices will be able to support the next three generations of the OS – offering users a scalable growth path without having to compromise technology or resource to continue moving forward; reducing the need to constantly invest in new hardware simply to keep up with demand.

Keeping Familiarity in the Field

A core reason to have devices repaired rather than refreshing with new devices is familiarity and the mentality of ‘if it’s not broke don’t fix it”..But! When a device does break, the options to fix it and get it back in the field are many. A great way to alleviate device downtime is to work with a trusted VAR who offers mobile device lifecycle management or managed services to ensure you are maximizing efficiency. Here are a few of the most common managed services which offer an extension of IT departments and ensure devices are handled, repaired and deployed by experts:

Advanced Replacement including Spare Pool Management

Given the mission-critical nature of deployed devices, it’s unacceptable to be without for more than a few days. Within moments of a device breaking or failure, a simple process allows you to communicate its status and queue another device to be sent to your facility overnight. Devices are often stored in a spare pool and pre-configured to ensure there’s minimal time loss in the field. Advanced Replacement + Spare Pool management allows internal employees to focus elsewhere while a VAR takes care of the complex, expedient processing and deployment.

Provisioning and Deployment Services

When maintaining a number of mobile devices in different locations, complexities are countless. Utilizing Provisioning and Deployments Services allow you to lean on experts in the field to ensure your mobile equipment is exactly where you need it, when you need it. This service often saves time and hassle by ensuring your mobile devices meet company requirements, are kitted with accessories, labeled, packed, and shipped to your individual user facilities. Additionally, all mobile devices are fully tested, charged and prepared for immediate use.

Refreshing your Mobile Devices

With the rapid change of technology, it’s a good practice to stay on top of all latest and greatest devices trends and calculate the impact it could have on your business. Not only is there the potential of newer devices to have a potentially longer life, newer specifications could align with operational strategies while adhering to newly developed standards. Highlighted below are products on the scene that can help increase device uptime and provide the future-preparedness needed to keep total cost of ownership (TCO) low.

Dolphin CN75 Handheld Computer

This rugged, IP67 rated device has plenty to offer the mobile worker (particularly field service, DSD, and other on-the-go applications) and allows you to shift from Windows® to Android when your team is ready. By 2020, support for Windows Handheld and CE will cease, and the industry is moving in the Android direction. Taking advantage of a device that offers a dual operating system today means you’ll be poised and ready for tomorrow.

Dolphin CN80 Handheld Computer

This Android-compatible device, built on the Mobility Edge platform, offers users even more flexibility with the options of both touchscreen and physical keypads. This allows workers who are more comfortable with a physical keypad continue to work the way they always have from a data entry standpoint, but without compromising any of the power and flexibility of newer technology.

Dolphin CT50 Handheld Computer

If you’re currently running on a Verizon 3G/non-LTE network, then this 4G/LTE device is perfect for your mobile workers. With Verizon announcing they will no longer activate new, non-LTE devices after June 2018, and will only commit to supporting 2G/3G through December 31, 2019, the time is now to start preparing your organization for the change. Although Verizon is currently the only carrier who has announced this change, there are possibly others to follow. For scan-intensive workflows, the CT50 will keep productivity high for your mobile employees; and with your choice of operating system, you decide when to migrate to Android.

What’s the next step?

Not sure how much life is left in your fleet of devices? We can help you determine your mobile device strategy to maximize current costs, reduce expenses and keep productivity levels high. Contact us today for an evaluation.

Carlton Technologies Inc.

We know the world of mobile computing and would love to talk with you about it.

Tell Us What's Broken

Online Customer Center

You can easily create a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) using our Customer Center. Simply select your device from the list and tell us what’s broken and we’ll provide you with a repair price. You then confirm the details and print the RMA to accompany the device(s)you are sending to us. If you can’t identify the issue, check “unknown problem” and ship the device(s). We’ll get back to you with a quote.

We Fix All Major Brands

We repair smartphones and tablets from all major manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung and Blackberry and many others. In all cases, we follow our industry leading seven-step repair process which has proven to deliver good-as-new performance from equipment serviced by Carlton. What’s more, all repairs are covered by a 90-day, comprehensive Carlton warranty.

We Fix All Major Issues

Broken screen, buttons or speaker? Damaged housing, bad battery, board failure, power-up problems? We fix all of them—and more—to work good as new, with all repairs covered by a 90-day Carlton warranty.

Select Turn-Time and Shipping

Choosing a Turn-Time

Our standard turn-time for repairs is three days. One-day turn-times are an optional upgrade. The choices are yours. In both cases, the turn-time does not include the day we receive the device.

Shipping Options

You choose your return shipping transit time when you ship us the device. Our standard return shipping (included in the price of the repair) is UPS Ground. UPS Next Day Air is an optional upgrade.

Send Us Your Device

It Couldn't Be Easier!

Go to our online Customer Center. Complete and print out an RMA. Box and send the device to us in Holland MI. We look after everything else. There are no surprises. Most importantly, your repaired smartphone or tablet will perform like new and is warrantied for 90 days!

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